The Raw and Tender Edge of Confrontation

Join Jeremy Kelsall for a one-day workshop exploring how counsellors and psychotherapists can gain a deeper understanding of erotic countertransference and work towards improved safeguarding for both therapist and client.

Purpose:

The purpose of this one-day workshop is to develop our awareness and understanding of the experience of erotic countertransference, or attraction towards clients. This can be a powerful, intoxicating and unnerving experience when it appears. This workshop aims to help us move beyond the taboo that can often surround its appearance and that may lead us to suppress our feelings and thus limit the scope of the work. The presence of the erotic on the part of the therapist need not be a cause for alarm or shame. Rather, the arrival of this powerful energy in the therapy room can signal the emergence of something valuable within the relationship. Conscious acknowledgement of these feelings can allow us to deepen the work as well as better safeguard both ourselves and the client.

Who is it for?

Therapists and counsellors and trainee therapists and counsellors (CNG2 level or above).

Learning outcomes:

To develop a conceptual framework for understanding erotic countertransference and its meaning in the therapeutic setting. To have begun to develop an understanding of our own erotic subjectivity in relation to our client work. To have a clearer sense of what ensures the safety of the therapeutic relationship. To be able to make use of erotic countertransference in service of the work.

What to expect:

• There will be some theory and an opportunity to pool our shared thinking on our understanding of the meaning of the erotic generally and as it appears in therapy.
• We will consider how our own relationship with the erotic can point to how we might be triggered as therapists.
• We will explore some of the signs to look out for that suggest attraction may be present and consider the ways we can support ourselves in navigating its challenge.
• We will think about how allowing our attraction to be present can be used to deepen our understanding of our own erotic needs and their origins and meaning, at the same time as helping to illuminate those of our client.

Our Approach:

The Psychosynthesis model is eclectic in its approach, and we will consider erotic countertransference from different angles. This will include looking at the mythical origins of Eros as well as psychoanalytic and transpersonal perspectives, as all of these have something valuable to offer to our understanding. The workshop will involve a balance of the theoretical and experiential, in a spirit of supportive and collaborative enquiry.

Ticket Price

At the Trust we appreciate that each person has their own unique situation, so we invite you to select the price point that feels like it represents a fair contribution for attending this event.

There are three options to choose from when purchasing tickets: £75; 100; £150. If you have any concerns around affordability, please contact Kajal at events@ptrust.org.uk.

If you book a ticket and cannot attend, you can claim a refund up to seven days before the event. Eventbrite fees are non-refundable.

About the trainer:

Jeremy is a psychosynthesis psychotherapist and has been working in private practice as a psychosynthesis counsellor since 2015. He qualified as a psychosynthesis psychotherapist in 2023 and as part of his training, he undertook research into the area of erotic countertransference. This workshop draws on that research and subsequent ongoing enquiry.